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Vehicle Summary

The 2015 Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV with seating for up to eight passengers, two wheelbase lengths, and either rear- or four-wheel-drive configurations. Its sole engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 rated at 380 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque when using premium fuel. It's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is decent for such a large vehicle at 16/22 mpg city/highway in rear-drive guise and 15/20 mpg with four-wheel drive. Its 9,000-pound towing capability is respectable in rear-drive, regular-wheelbase Navigators.

Overview

The new EcoBoost V-6 provides plenty of power to move the 2015 Lincoln Navigator and its 3-ton curb weight thanks to plenty of low-end torque arriving at less than 3,000 rpms. Handling is acceptable for such a large car and feels stable, but the SUV tends to roll around when the road gets twisty. The adjustable damping system allows drivers to select from Comfort, Normal, or Sport modes, and the addition of an independent rear suspension setup improves ride quality and makes the third row habitable for adults.

Cargo space in the 2015 Navigator is generous in both regular- and long-wheelbase, models with up to 103.3 cubic feet and 128.2 cubic feet of volume, respectively. The 2015 model year refresh improved the Navigator, but the packaging still feels bad, and tech features such as radar cruise control are still lacking, creating an interior that continues to feel dated. Passenger space is good, but it lacks decently sized storage cubbies in the door pockets, and ingress/egress is tricky because drivers can get their knee caught in between the door and steering wheel.

Depending on the drivetrain, the NHTSA gave the 2015 Lincoln Navigator a three- or four-star rollover safety score (out of a possible five stars).

What We Think

Improvements made for the 2015 model year keep the Lincoln Navigator relevant, but it continues to feel dated despite its new powertrain and in-car technology. In a First Drive review, we said that the EcoBoost V-6 improves the SUV's drivability due to it achieving full torque from low revs, which makes it feel "more gutsy" when acceleration. However, its interior remains dated with poor ergonomics and useless small cubbies up front. Although Lincoln has added an updated infotainment system and host of safety aids, the 2015 Navigator continues to lag behind in terms of technology because features like adaptive cruise control, which are available in cheaper vehicles, are not available.